On April 15, the United States Department of State announced its approval for a military sale in Morocco. This is the purchase of 600 FIM-92K Stinger Block I missiles, accompanied by related equipment for the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), for an estimated amount of $ 825 million (approximately 7.7 billion dirhams). An official notification from the United States Department of Defense was published by the Official Journal of the United States Congress.
To read: an American arms factory in Morocco?
On April 26, Michael F. Miller, director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, sent a letter to the President of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, James E. Risch, to inform him of the sale. This acquisition includes 24 M134 launch devices, battery blocks, testing tools, spare parts and logistics equipment, full technical assistance, the training of Moroccan troops … Renowned for its low altitude accuracy, the FIM-92K Stinger Bloc I system constitutes a light and easily deployable anti-aircraft defense capacity.
To read: Morocco, major importer of American weapons
“The kingdom of Morocco is able to ensure a degree of protection comparable to that required by the government of the United States,” it is specified in the document relayed by Parlamane. For the State Department, “this proposed sale will support the United States foreign and national security policy by strengthening the security of a major NATO member, which plays a key role in political stability and economic progress in North Africa”. Its realization depends on the American Congress. He will have to examine the Moroccan order above all.
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